Duke vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than Duke based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 17,499 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Duke University is located in Durham, NC (Midsize City setting); University of North Carolina at Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• Duke University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Duke University 5:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

Duke vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke or UNC Charlotte? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Charlotte than Duke ($15,045 vs. $21,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are 20.2% lower than at Duke University ($14,458 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 849.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $61,519 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 205.7% higher at Duke than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $46,266 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte than at Duke University (60% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 722.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($65,522 vs. $7,966).

Duke vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke or UNC Charlotte? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNC Charlotte and Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is 300 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming Duke students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 1500/1570; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Duke students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

Duke vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke and UNC Charlotte? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $60,300 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $15,500 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($7,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($77 vs. $237).
• More Duke graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.